Production is the heart of a factory.
But for this heart to beat without disruption, you need the right materials, machines, and workforce at the right time.
That’s exactly what SAP PP (Production Planning) does — it’s the digital brain and GPS system that keeps your production rhythm in perfect harmony.
In short, SAP PP is a module that plans, optimizes, and controls manufacturing processes — all while improving both speed and cost efficiency.
SAP PP manages production planning from end to end:
Demand Forecasting
Material Requirements Planning (MRP)
Capacity Planning
Creation and Management of Production Orders
Real-time Production Tracking
Cost Analysis
Real Example:
In an automotive plant, SAP PP can pre-determine which parts need to be produced, when they should be manufactured, which machines will be available, and which shift will handle the work.
Result? 30% faster production and 15% lower inventory costs.
| Submodule | Function | Real-life Example |
|---|---|---|
| MRP (Material Requirements Planning) | Calculates required materials and triggers procurement | Placing advance orders for parts of a new car model |
| Capacity Planning | Optimizes machine and labor capacity | Adding extra shifts during peak season |
| Production Orders | Creates manufacturing instructions | Issuing an order for 1,000 units of a product |
| Shop Floor Control | Monitors the production process in real time | Pausing production and rerouting work during a breakdown |
| Cost Management | Analyzes production costs | Generating cost reports per product |
Demand Forecasting – Analyze sales data to determine production needs.
Run MRP – Calculate what materials are needed and when.
Capacity Planning – Schedule machines, shifts, and workforce.
Create Production Orders – Send manufacturing instructions to the shop floor.
Real-time Monitoring – Track each step of the production process.
Completion & Reporting – Calculate final product costs and generate efficiency reports.
Scenario:
A textile factory plans to produce 50,000 t-shirts for the summer collection. SAP PP checks fabric stocks, schedules machines, creates production orders, and manages the process from start to finish.
SAP PP is fully integrated with other SAP modules:
SAP MM → Manages material procurement
SAP SD → Sales orders feed directly into production planning
SAP QM → Oversees quality control processes
SAP FI/CO → Handles cost accounting and financial integration
With SAP PP, companies can easily track key performance indicators:
OTIF (On Time In Full) – Delivery performance rate
Downtime – Machine or production line stoppage time
Scrap Rate – Percentage of defective products
Inventory Turnover – Speed of material usage in production
Automotive – Just-in-Time production to minimize inventory costs
Retail Manufacturing – Seasonal production planning based on demand
Pharmaceuticals – Scheduling production based on expiration dates
Professionals with SAP PP expertise can secure high-paying positions such as:
SAP PP Consultant
Production Planning Specialist
Factory Operations Manager
Industrial Engineer (with SAP expertise)
Recommended Training:
Production Planning with SAP S/4HANA PP/DS Training – Hands-on SAP PP training in a real SAP environment.
SAP PP makes manufacturing faster, more efficient, and more cost-effective.
Whether you work on the shop floor or as a consultant, SAP PP knowledge makes you an indispensable player in the future of manufacturing.